Discussion

Help me decide between these 3 restaurants--Matt's, Anthony's & Steelhead???

We've got two dinners in town this week before our cruise to Alaska. For one night I want to go to Paseo because I've heard so much about it. But I can't decide for the other night between Matt's in the Market, Anthony's Pier 66 and Steelhead Diner. We're staying downtown so I would like to stick around there or a short cab ride away. I'm most interested in good seafood and value for the money, less interested in chic/trendy/view. Also, my dad is a little hard of hearing so if one of these is really noisy that won't work.

Bohemiana, Matt's at the Market is the most Seattle-centric of your three choices. (Although Steelhead Diner offers exceptionally good food.) Have your dad order a Bloody Mary at Matt's and sit back and enjoy a wonderful dining experience. When you have finished, wander over to the upstairs bar at Maximillien's at the Market for an after dinner drink and enjoy some ambiance from another century. (Anthony's is nothing special unless you consider Red Lobster a dining destination.)

"Crushingly" is too loud. I hate this trend in dining--it's like they think the louder you have to shout to be heard the more fun you must be having. My dad simply can't follow a conversation if it's loud. I'll call to see if they have a quite area.

Unfortunately Steelhead is going to be equally loud. And, as Leper and others mentioned, Anthony's should be skipped.

If Matt's doesn't work, I'd suggest The Book Bindery. I've had two really good meals there and they have and "adult" dining room. Which is not to say it's boring, just that you can hear your dining companions.

We ended up skipping Paseo and went to Anthony's and another place called Blueacre. You were right--Anthony's was very pedestrian. Actually the food was o.k.--nothing special, very average--but the service was terrible. Blueacre on the otherhand was very, very good, and the atmosphere and service were also very nice. We started out at happy hour at Blueacre for drinks and appetizers (and $1 oysters), and then moved to a table.

Just thought I'd point out that Paseo often runs out of bread by dinner (at which point they serve over rice), so you may want to make it a lunch.

As a visitor, you shouldn't be confused by what Paseo is. Despite it's warranted praise, it's a sandwich shack. A very good one (although not as world changing as some would have you believe), but a sandwich place none the less. I'd pick a different dinner if I were you... Maybe Revel if you're in that area.